Buffer returns to deliver trademark phrase for Pacquiao-Rios

MACAU – “Let’s get ready to rumble!” will be heard for the third time this year on Sunday here when former eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao takes on Mexican- American Brandon Rios at the CotaiArena inside the sprawling Venetian Resorts.

Legendary announcer Michael Buffer arrived last Friday for “The Clash in Cotai” and immediately put on the mic starting with the official weigh-in on Saturday morning.

The 69-year-old ring announcer has been a fixture in Pacquiao’s fights in the US and knows in his heart and mind that the fighting congressman from Sarangani is in for a tough fight.

“Everybody has to realize that Manny Pacquiao, after two defeats, is stepping right back up to a high level competition,” Buffer told Philstar.com.

“He could have taken a (lesser) fighter as a tune-up but now he’s fighting Brandon Rios. Obviously, everyone knows that Rios is a world-class fighter with only one loss in his record. He has a great chin and a great fighter,” Buffer added.

Pacquiao, however, is unfazed and looked primed and ready to go during the weigh-in where he tipped the scales at 145 lbs., two pounds less than the 147-limit of their welterweight fight.

Rios, who appeared dehydrated, had to drink lots of water after the weigh-in for hyper-hydration. The challenger, however, still put his game face on and playfully engaged the pro-Pacquiao fans to boo him even louder.

But the popular ring announcer couldn’t announce his pick on who will win the fight for obvious reasons.

“In my heart, I have a choice but I just have to keep it to myself. I’m not allowed to say it because I have to be totally neutral,” said Buffer, who will return home right after the fight because of work.   

“I think it’s a really hard fight. It shows the championship heart that Pacquiao has,” he added

And the people rooting for Pacquiao are hoping that after the final bell has been rung, it would be the Filipino boxers’ name he'll announce as the victor.

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(Editor’s note: This special coverage of the Pacquiao-Rios fight here in Macau is made possible by Cebu Pacific Air, why every Juan flies.)